2.7m holidaymakers to use Sadarghat launch terminal during Eid

Though the number of passengers heading to greater Barishal has reduced due to the Padma Bridge, the Sadarghat launch terminal of the Dhaka will face unusual pressure of homebound people during the upcoming Eid.

Around 3.0 million people from Dhaka and surrounding districts will leave for coastal districts on waterways. Among them, at least 2.7 million will pass through Sadarghat launch terminal with 0.3 million people on average daily in 9 days, according to a report of the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways.

Its president Mohammad Shahid Mia and its general secretary Ashis Kumar Dey on Tuesday published the summary of the report through a press release, reports UNB.

The National Committee has recommended raising the number of vessels in alternative way by the government to handle the pressure of additional passengers and ensure hassle-free and safe Eid journey.

The report said, about 15 million people leave Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj during Eid-ul-Fitr each year.

Among them, 3.75 million (25 per cent) travel on waterways. Almost cent percent of these passengers are from the coastal districts of Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Chandpur, Shariatpur and Madaripur, it said.

The civic organisation said after opening the Padma Bridge in last June, the rate of waterway passengers of coastal districts, excluding Chandpur, has decreased by about 20 per cent; which is 5 per cent of the total Eid holidaymakers.

As a result, 3.0 million people (20 per cent of the total passengers) will go by launch during this Eid and at least 2.7 million of them will go through Dhaka river port.

According to the report, the rush of home-bound people will start from April 13, the last working day of the previous week. All waterway passengers from greater Dhaka region will go home in 9 days from 13 to 21 April (the day before Eid).